A 4-color pixel image sensor having a visible color noise reduction function in a near infrared ray (NIR) pixel may include an active pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a plurality of first metal layers, a plurality of color filters, a first NIR pixel and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series; an NIR optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes and a second NIR pixel, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series; and a visible optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a second metal layer, a plurality of color filters and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series, and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series, wherein the active pixel region, the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a same substrate in series.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A 4-color pixel image sensor having a visible color noise reduction function in a near infrared ray (NIR) pixel, comprising: an active pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a plurality of first metal layers, a plurality of color filters, a first NIR pixel and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series; an NIR optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes and a second NIR pixel, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series; and a visible optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a second metal layer, a plurality of color filters and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series, and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series, wherein the active pixel region, the NIR, optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a same substrate in series.
A 4-color pixel image sensor reduces visible color noise in near-infrared (NIR) pixels. It features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens. An NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel. A visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens. All three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate.
2. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a side among four sides of the active pixel array region in series irrespective of a sequence.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region arranged on one of the four sides of the active pixel array region, in any order.
3. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first metal layer is formed over the plurality of photodiodes in the active pixel region.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first metal layer is formed over the photodiodes in the active pixel region.
4. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim wherein the plurality of color filters in the active pixel region and in the visible optical black pixel region include a blue color filter, a green color filter and a red color filter.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the color filters in the active pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are blue, green, and red.
5. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first metal layers and the second metal layer are made of aluminum or copper.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second metal layers made of aluminum or copper.
6. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first NIR pixel and the second NIR pixel absorbs a light of a whole infrared ray (IR) wavelength band among an incident light.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second NIR pixels absorb all infrared (IR) wavelengths of incident light.
7. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second metal layer is formed over an entire upper surface of the photodiodes in the visible optical black pixel region.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the second metal layer formed over the entire upper surface of the photodiodes in the visible optical black pixel region.
8. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , further comprising: a control unit suitable for comparing a reference signal outputted from the NIR optical black pixel region to an IR pixel signal including a noise of an active pixel outputted from the active pixel array region, calculating a difference value between the reference signal and the IR pixel signal, and compensating to remove the noise, which is received in the first NIR pixel based on a calculated difference value.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, further includes a control unit. This unit compares a reference signal from the NIR optical black pixel region to an IR pixel signal (including noise) from the active pixel region, calculates the difference, and compensates to remove noise received in the first NIR pixel, based on the calculated difference.
9. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first NIR pixel and the second NIR pixel in the active pixel region and the visual optical black pixel region comprise black photoresists.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second NIR pixels in the active and visible optical black pixel regions comprise black photoresists.
10. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first NIR pixel and the second NIR pixel have a structure where two color filters are stacked.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first metal layers, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series) and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second metal layer, color filters (adjacent to each other in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second NIR pixels constructed from two stacked color filters.
11. A 4-color pixel image sensor having a visible color noise reduction function in a near infrared ray (NIR) pixel, comprising: an active pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a plurality of first tungsten layers, a plurality of color filters, a first NIR pixel and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series and the plurality of color filters are arranged in series; an NIR optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series; and a visible optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, a plurality of color filters and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series, and the plurality of color filters are arranged in series, wherein the active pixel region, the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a same substrate in series.
A 4-color pixel image sensor reduces visible color noise in near-infrared (NIR) pixels. It features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens. An NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer, and a second NIR pixel. A visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens. All three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate.
12. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 11 , wherein the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a side among four sides of the active pixel array region in series irrespective of a sequence.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region arranged on one of the four sides of the active pixel array region, in any order.
13. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 11 , wherein the third metal layer is made of aluminum or copper.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the third metal layer is made of aluminum or copper.
14. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of color filters in the active pixel region and in the visible optical black pixel region include a blue color filter, a green color filter and a red color filter.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the color filters in the active pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are blue, green, and red.
15. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 11 , wherein the first NIR pixel and the second NIR pixel in the active pixel region and the visual optical black pixel region comprise black photoresists.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second NIR pixels in the active and visual optical black pixel regions comprise black photoresists.
16. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 11 , wherein the first NIR pixel and the second NIR pixel have a structure where two color filters are stacked.
The 4-color pixel image sensor described where it features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region includes stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region contains stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the first and second NIR pixels are constructed from two stacked color filters.
17. The 4-color pixel image sensor of claim 16 , wherein the two color filters are a blue color filter and a red color filter.
The 4-color pixel image sensor with first and second NIR pixels constructed from two stacked color filters, in a sensor that also features an active pixel region with stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), first tungsten layers, color filters (arranged in series), a first NIR pixel, and a micro-lens, and an NIR optical black pixel region including stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a second tungsten layer and a second NIR pixel, and a visible optical black pixel region containing stacked photodiodes (arranged in series), a third metal layer, a third tungsten layer, color filters (arranged in series), and a micro-lens, and all three regions (active, NIR optical black, and visible optical black) reside on the same substrate, has the two stacked color filters being a blue color filter and a red color filter.
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April 21, 2016
June 20, 2017
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